ERA 2010: Airline and airport members demand ash damages from European governments

ERA member airline presidents and airport directors meeting in Barcelona at the annual General Assembly of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), have expressed outrage at the failure of Europe’s politicians and regulators to act to provide financial compensation to the industry following the eruption of Mount Eyjafjallajoekull which caused widespread closure of airspace and cancellation of flights.

Disgusted by the lack of action by national governments across Europe to compensate airlines for the financial damages they incurred, for events totally beyond their control, ERA airline and airport leaders have agreed to pursue financial damages through legal action.

Speaking at the General Assembly, Antonis Simigdalas, ERA president and Mike Ambrose ERA director general, issued a joint statement saying, “Europe’s politicians have sat on their hands for far too long on this issue. Airlines have now lost patience and have been forced to seek alternative legal solutions to recover the additional costs they incurred.

“The events in April showed that air transport is an essential element of our society and it is now time for governments to recognise the value that air transport brings to the economy and the European communities it serves.”

The airline presidents and airport directors have thus instructed the ERA Directorate to explore any opportunity for instigating a class action to recover damages.